Pensacola’s biggest and longest-running annual agricultural and entertainment tradition returns this fall, October 19-29, bringing with it exhilarating rides, live music, exotic shows, colorful attractions and exhibits, flavorful fair food, and fun for the whole family.
Returning for its 89th season, this year’s entertainment lineup includes:
THURSDAY, OCT. 19 at 7 p.m. – Cat Country 98.7 radio station presents the Cat Country All Cheer Dance Challenge. Up to 12 Varsity Cheer Teams will participate in the inaugural All Cheer Challenge to win $1000 for their school’s program. Each performance will be judged on moves, school spirit, audience enthusiasm, and coordination.
FRIDAY, OCT. 20 at 7:30 p.m. – With more than 40 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, expect to hear country singer Tracy Lawrence perform some of his hit songs like, “Texas Tornado,” “Sticks and Stones,” “Alibis,” “If the Good Die Young,” “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” and “Paint Me a Birmingham.”
SATURDAY, OCT. 21 at 7:30 p.m. – Up-and-coming country music artist Shane Profitt, with his “salt-of-the-earth” Tennessee swagger, will take the stage Saturday night to perform his hits like “Better Off Fishin’,” “Country Boys,” and “How It Oughta Be.”
SUNDAY, OCT. 22 at 6:30 p.m. – The Prettiest Cow Contest takes place at the Livestock Arena. The public is invited to attend.
MONDAY, OCT. 23 at 6 p.m. – Don’t miss the Youth and FFA Steer Show taking place in the Livestock Arena. The steer show gives pre-teens and teens the chance to showcase the steers they have raised for the past six months.
In addition, MONDAY, OCT. 23 at 7:30 p.m. – Alexandra Kay – With a voice reminiscent of Dolly Parton and hundreds of millions of views of her music videos on social media, independent country music artist Alexandra Kay is bringing country music back to its roots. Expect to hear her hits “Dive Bar Dreamer,” “We Wouldn’t Be Us,” “I Kinda Don’t,” and “All the Cowboys.”
TUESDAY, OCT. 24 at 6 p.m. – The Youth Steer Breeding Show and Prospect Steers takes place in the Livestock Arena. The public is invited to attend.
In addition, TUESDAY, OCT. 24 at 7:30 p.m. – Country music singer-songwriter Frank Foster – a rural Louisiana native and former oilfield man – has taken his songs from the campfire to the coliseum seemingly overnight. Expect to hear hits like “Blue Collar Boys,” “Good Ol’ Girl,” “Rowdy Reputation,” and “Old Man in Me.”
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25 at 7 p.m. – Come out and support the 4-H Youth by bidding on a steer at the annual FFA Livestock Auction & Charity Goat Auction from the Livestock Arena. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to purchase a steer and/or goat. Around 20-30 steers will be auctioned off this year, so don’t miss out!
In addition, on WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25 at 7:30 p.m. – The Florida Panhandle band, Below Alabama, will take the Pepsi stage to play their country and classic rock favorites, with a surprise or two along the way. Expect to hear their hits like, “My Ex is Your Best Friend,” “How I Was Raised,” and “More Than a Home.”
THURSDAY, OCT. 26 at 3:30 and 7 p.m. – Rocky and the Rollers will take the stage to perform their Doo Wop N’ Rock show, bringing you hit cover songs from the ‘50s to the ‘70s.
FRIDAY, OCT. 27 at 7:30 p.m. – Pensacola’s favorite local band White Tie Rock Ensemble will present a tribute to Journey. White Tie is a local group of musicians who recreate classic rock albums with a classical approach. Expect to hear mega-hits like, “Any Way You Want It,” “Open Arms,” “Faithfully,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
SATURDAY, OCT. 28 at 7:30 p.m. – Mark Chesnutt – One of Country’s true musical treasures, honky-tonk legend Mark Chesnutt will close out the Fair’s 2023 music schedule. Expect to hear some of his chart-topping country hits like, “Bubba Shot the Jukebox,” “It Sure is Monday,” “It’s A Little Too Late,” and “Goin’ Through the Big D.”
In addition to the live music acts, returning to the Fair this year are the adorable sea lions of the hit show, “Sea Lion Splash.” Sea Lion Splash DAILY showtimes are Monday-Friday at 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sundays at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.
Returning fan-favorite is Cirque Ma’Ceo, a dynamic, highly talented acrobatic variety show that is sure to keep the entire family on the edge of their seats. DAILY showtimes are Monday – Friday at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Also back by popular demand, fairgoers can also experience an interactive, hands-on exotic animal zoo at the Eudora Farm’s “Animals from Around the World” station, as well as at the Reno’s Reptiles exhibit in Building 2. Both attractions are open daily from fair open to close.
Eleven days of rides, food, fun, music and gaming is affordable for families looking for exciting things to do on a budget. The Pensacola Interstate Fair offers options to save your hard-earned cash with Dollar Day on Opening Day Thursday, Midnight Madness Friday specials, and advance Super Saver discount ride wristbands and half-price admission tickets. In addition, there will be discounted special admission days, free events and concerts so you can join us in all the magic and fun!
Advance Super Saver half-price admission tickets and Super Saver discounted unlimited ride wristbands are on sale now and available ONLY UNTIL Wednesday, Oct. 18, at PensacolaFair.com. Each admission ticket and ride wristband is valid for one use only.
The prices for the Super Saver half-price admission tickets and discounted unlimited ride wristbands are as follows:
• Adult Admission Tickets – $7 for ages 12 and up ($14 at the Fair; savings of $7)
• Child Admission Tickets – $3 for ages 4-11 ($6 at the Fair; savings of $3)
• Advance Weekday Super Saver Ride Wristband – $20 ($25 at the Fair; savings of $5.) Good for Mon-Thurs use only (also accepted Sunday, Oct. 29.) Can be upgraded at the main ticket booth or fair office for weekend use (for an additional $5.) Valid for one use only.
• Advance Any Day Super Saver Ride Wristband – $25 ($30 at the Fair; savings of $5.) Good for any day of the Fair. Valid for one use only.
• Parking Ticket $5, give to attendant upon exiting.
General gate admission to the Fair is $14 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-11, and free for children three and under. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25 for Mon-Thurs use (also on Sunday, Oct. 29) and $30 for Fri-Sun use. Individual ride credits will also be available. There is also a $5 parking fee, which will be collected upon exiting the Fair parking lot.
The schedule of wristband and special admission days is as follows:
Thursday, Oct. 19
• Opening $1 Day Special –$1 admission for ages four and up, and $1 rides all day. Each ride will be one credit. Ride credits will be sold in $10 increments. Children age three and under are free at all times for entry.
• Entertainment – Cat Country 98.7 All Cheer Dance Challenge – 7 p.m.
• Fair hours are 4 p.m.–11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20
• Midnight Madness – At 8 p.m., “Pay One Price” $30 Midnight Madness Tickets will be on sale at the Fair Entrance Ticket Booth. The $30 Midnight Madness ticket gets you an unlimited ride wristband and also includes FREE admission into the Fair. Midnight Madness Wristbands are good on all Reithoffer Midway rides from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. only. No general admission tickets will be sold after 8 p.m., only Midnight Madness, pay-one-price $30 ticket. Super Saver admission tickets will be accepted all day long. Super Saver “Any Day” wristbands will be accepted for Midnight Madness, but must accompany a Super Saver admission ticket to get in.
• Entertainment – Tracy Lawrence – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 4 p.m.–1 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 21
• Kids’ Day – All kids 11 years and under will be admitted FREE into the Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. General Admission prices apply after 2 p.m. Fair closes at midnight.
• Entertainment – Cow Patty Bingo – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m (Livestock Arena)
• Entertainment – Shane Profitt – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 11 a.m.–12 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22
• Buddy Day – Two get in for the price of one with adult or child admission tickets, highest admission applies from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Super Saver admission cannot be used with Buddy Day promotion.
• Military Appreciation Day – All active and retired military personnel and spouse with proper identification will be admitted for $7 all day (does not include dependents other than spouse). Military Appreciation special cannot be combined with any other daily promotion.
• Entertainment – Grooming Contest and The Prettiest Cow Competition – 6:30 p.m (Livestock Arena)
• Fair hours are 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 23
• First Responders’ and Teachers’ Day – Half-price ($7) admission for any certified first responder and teacher with a valid ID, all day long.
• Entertainment – Youth & FFA Steer Show – 6 p.m. (Livestock Arena)
• Entertainment – Alexandra Kay – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 4 p.m.–11 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 24
• Ladies’ Day – Women of all ages will be admitted FREE into the Fair from 4 to 6 p.m. General admission applies from 6 p.m. until closing.
• Entertainment – Youth Breeding Show Prospect Steers – 6 p.m. (Livestock Arena)
• Entertainment – Frank Foster – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 4 p.m.–11 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
• Reithoffer Shows Midway Special $2 Ride Night, purchase ride credits at Reithoffer kiosk.
• Manna Food Pantries Food Drive – $3 off adult admission when you bring three cans of food to the main entrance, all day long.
• Entertainment – Youth & FFA Livestock Auction – 7 p.m. (Livestock Arena)
• Entertainment – Below Alabama – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 4 p.m.–11 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 26
• Senior Appreciation Day – The Fair will open early at 2 p.m., and senior citizens ages 55 and up will get in for $7 all day.
• Entertainment – Rocky and the Rollers – 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Fair hours are 2 p.m.–11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 27
• Midnight Madness – At 8 p.m., “Pay One Price” $30 Midnight Madness Tickets will be on sale at the Fair Entrance Ticket Booth. The $30 Midnight Madness ticket gets you an unlimited rides wristband and also includes FREE admission into the Fair. Midnight Madness Wristbands are good on all Reithoffer Midway rides from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. only. No general admission tickets will be sold after 8 p.m., only Midnight Madness, pay-one-price $30 ticket. Super Saver admission tickets will be accepted all day long. Super Saver “Any Day” wristbands will be accepted for Midnight Madness, but must accompany a Super Saver admission ticket to get in.
• Entertainment –White Tie Rock Ensemble – Performing Journey – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 4 p.m.–1 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28
• Kids’ Day – All kids 11 years and under will be admitted FREE into the Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. General Admission prices apply after 2 p.m.
• Entertainment – Mark Chesnutt – 7:30 p.m.
• Fair hours are 11 a.m.– 12 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29
• “Last Blast” Family Day – Special $7 admission price and $25 ride wristbands available for everyone all day long. (Ages 3 and under are free. Any previously purchased discounted admission tickets or passes will count as ONE ADMISSION ONLY). Fair closes at 10 p.m.
• No exhibit buildings will be open this day, and there will be no stage entertainment.
• Fair hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
For more information on the Fair, call (850) 944-4500 or visit PensacolaFair.com. You can also join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PensacolaInterstateFair.